Abstract:
This research reviewed the existing literature pertaining to the effect of socioeconomic
status on obesity rates in adolescents. Specifically, this research examined whether male
and female adolescents of low socioeconomic status were more likely to become obese
than male and female adolescents of high socioeconomic status, respectively. The
prevalence of obesity among children has almost tripled in the past thirty years, and the
associated increase in co-morbidities has produced a need for aggressive weight
management interventions (Kirk, Scotland Daniels.2005). Several factors can point to a
definitive reason for the increase in obesity rates among adolescents. Lack of community
resources such as playgrounds and parks along with lack of recreational programmes and
equipment are a few possibilities for the increase in adolescent obesity. Socioeconomic
status, a measure of an individual or families wealth, is one of the most likely sources of
high obesity rates in adolescents, with underlying factors as well. Eight studies were used
for analysis and comparison of socioeconomic status and obesity rates in adolescents.
Descriptive statistics and effect size were used to compare the data from the studies. The
focus of the research was to determine if there were differences in body mass index
among adolescents based on their socioeconomic status. Based on the literature and the
data sample examined, it was found that male adolescents from low socioeconomic
backgrounds were more likely to be obese than males from high socioeconomic
backgrounds. In a similar pattern, females from low socioeconomic backgrounds were
more likely to be obese than females from high socioeconomic backgrounds.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,PHYSICAL
EDUCATION,RECREATION AND SPORTS , Faculty of
SCIENCE EDUCATION.
Submitted to the school of Research and Graduate Studies, University of Education,
Winneba, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the
Award of MASTERS IN EDUCATION IN HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION of
the UNIVERSITY OF EDUCTION, WINNEBA.
DECEMBER, 2010